The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has officially notified our UAB Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Program of their accreditation. Donna Salzman, MD (Professor, Hematology and Oncology) is Interim Director of the BMT/CT program which involves 300 people across many different disciplines: medicine, nursing, pathology, apheresis, data, and research. We are delighted to celebrate their exemplary performance in quality, patient care and research!
More Good News for December 11, 2020
Gattadahalli M. Anantharamaiah, PhD (Professor, Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging) has been named to the National Academy of Inventors. He holds 19 issued United States patents and 45 issued foreign patents in the field of peptide synthesis which hold significant potential as therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, cancer, asthma, systemic inflammation and other diseases. Congratulations on this prestigious honor!
Abolfazl Zarjou, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor, Nephrology) has received a the 2020 Research Scholar Award from the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. This award will enable Dr. Zarjou to use a mouse model of kidney failure induced by renal ablation and high phosphorus diet to learn how to prevent and treat vascular calcification by targeting ferritin in Chronic Kidney Disease. Kudos to you, Dr. Zarjou!
The Department is delighted to recognize Will Morgan, MD (PGY-2) for his exemplary diagnostic reasoning. When a 34-year-old patient was admitted to the CCU after a STEMI, Dr. Morgan recognized a constellation of findings consistent with Turner's syndrome, and he pressed the team to order a chromosome analysis. His accurate diagnosis will undoubtedly add years to her life. Kudos, Dr. Morgan, for your thoroughness and attention to detail.
Patrick Harris, MD (PGY-3) was selected for a BVAMC Five-Star Service Award. This special acknowledgment celebrates team members who have enhanced service and exemplified the spirit of teamwork at the VA, and Dr. Harris was specifically recognized through a glowing patient letter commending his professionalism. Three cheers for going "above and beyond," Dr. Harris!
Rudolph M Navari, MD, PhD (Professor, Hematology and Oncology) and colleagues published a review of carboplatin chemotherapy practice that revealed a >80% shortfall in adherence to the antiemetic guidelines, leading to potentially avoidable acute care needs. Awareness and uptake of the ACO/NCCN guidelines must be promoted to protect patient outcomes.
One of the MHRC's community partnerships known as the Campus of Hope at Marks Village has been designated a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development "EnVision Center." The Campus of Hope currently operates a hub of resources for Birmingham public housing residents and community members. With this designation, the Campus will be given additional HUD funding, with the understanding that additional Campuses of Hope will be formed in other Birmingham housing communities.
Vibhu Parcha, MBBS (Instructor/Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease) presented his research on racial differences in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in young adults at the AHA Scientific Sessions. His findings show that despite high blood pressure levels, few black young adults are being treated for the disease, and calls for more research to look at younger populations to prevent heart disease and the racial disparities we see in older adults.
Coming next week to Medical Grand Rounds. NO LECTURE – Happy Holidays!
Winter Break from 12/18-1/2/20. See you on 1/8/20!